Public Debt

Increase of Debts Slows Down at Asfinag

According to the Austrian motorway company Asfinag, austerity is slowly starting to show results.

January 3, 2011

State Secretary for Finance: Euro-bonds as a Medium-term Strategy

The Austrian State Secretary for Finance, Andreas Schieder, does not discard Euro-bonds, against the majority view of German and Austrian politicians.

December 31, 2010

Massive Rise of Debt in the Public Sector

Austria's debt is rising dramatically. Not only the state budget, but also the provinces and municipalities are the major contributors to this situation.

December 31, 2010

Nowotny Calls for Consistent Budget Consolidation

The Governor of the OeNB draws balance at the end of the year and gives his outlook on the challenges for 2011

December 30, 2010

WIFO Director: "Crisis was not Taken Advantage of to Introduce Reforms"

In an interview with the newspaper "Kurier", the head of the WIFO criticizes the lack of commitment to reforms. His perspectives for Austria are nevertheless optimistic.

December 30, 2010

Raiffeisen Foresees a Weak Decade for Europe

RLB Niederösterreich-Wien expects hardly any economic growth, particularly in the euro countries. Austria is however relatively well positioned.

December 28, 2010

AAA Rating Confirmed for Austria

The rating agency Standard & Poor’s; leaves Austria’s credit status unchanged.

December 22, 2010

Leitl: Municipal Financial Problems Act as Growth Brake

The President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), Christoph Leitl, demands greater spending efficiency in the public sector in order to improve municipal finances.

December 22, 2010

Austrian Official Debt Level Rises

Due to the EU-wide commitment to a more transparent presentation of liabilities, the official debt ratio of Austria will continue to increase.

December 21, 2010

Austria's Tax Revenues are Higher than Expected

As the economy developed relatively well this year relatively, tax revenues increased. The deficit for 2010 might therefore turn out to be lower than planned.

December 17, 2010

Bank Austria´s Economic Analysis: 2% Growth in 2011

The analysis of the Austrian economy forecasts a strong recovery. Improvements in the labour market will continue, but the positive trend weakens.

December 16, 2010

Allianz: Austria's Economic Production has Reached Pre-crisis Level in 2011

Strong exports and government stimulus programs enabled growth. Despite public savings constraint, Allianz expects further upward trends.

December 15, 2010

Austria Benefits from Low Loan Interest Rates

Because of low interest rates and spreads, Austria is able to get convenient financing on the loan market. Euro-bonds would mean significant costs for Austria.

December 13, 2010

Nowotny: No Euro-bonds Yet

Although he supports the euro-bonds in principle, the time has not come yet for the Governor of the Austrian National Bank.

December 10, 2010

Austrian Resistance Against Euro Bonds

Massive criticism comes from Germany, the Netherlands and Austria against the proposal to implement euro bonds to stabilize the currency in the EU.

December 8, 2010

Increase of Austrians’ Purchasing Power

Despite higher taxes and lower benefits, the purchasing power of the Austrian people will grow in 2011 by an estimated 2.6%.

December 7, 2010

Nowotny Pleads for Euro-Bonds

The governor of the Austrian National Bank, Ewald Nowotny, is for the introduction of euro-bonds. Germany’s resistance is pre-programmed.

December 6, 2010

Triple-A Rating: Treichl vs. Nowotny

The Chairman of the Erste Group is not convinced anymore by Austria's financial policy; the Governor of the National Bank however, still stands on "AAA".

December 3, 2010

Extra-budgetary Debts Grow Unabated

Debt levels which are not attributed to the Austrian Federal Budget rise exorbitantly. Above all, the ÖBB and Asfinag are responsible.

November 30, 2010

The Budget is Finally Set

After weeks of discussions about the 2011Austrian Federal Budget, the final details were announced today. There are very few amendments to the original project.

November 30, 2010

WIFO: Budget Consolidation in the EU is Not Sustainable

WIFO criticizes the consolidation programs of the individual EU countries for being easily enforceable, but containing hardly any sustainable measures.

November 29, 2010

aws Has Expansion Plans

The state-owned SME financing agency aws will double its fund volume to € 160 million, and extend its investments.

November 25, 2010

Leitl Vehemently Asks the Government for Structural Reforms

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WK), Christoph Leitl, call on the government for location and future investments.

November 25, 2010

Europe's Public Debt and Unemployment Remain High

Austrian Institute of Economic Research: The revival of the EU states, driven by expansionary economic policies and export growth, is ebbing.

November 25, 2010

AE&E Files Insolvency Application

After weeks of negotiations between AE&E's creditor and the banks, no continuation is possible. Talks ended without reaching an agreement.

November 24, 2010

Lending Rates of Domestic Banks Significantly Lower Than in the Euro Area

The lending interest rates for private households and businesses have risen recently. But despite this, rates are more advantageous than in other euro-countries.

November 23, 2010

Economic Chamber President Leitl Demands Financial Transaction Tax

There is consensus between the Presidents of the Economic Chamber and the Federation of Trade Unions.

November 23, 2010

CEE: Catch-Up Process Starts Again

After the growth break caused by the economic crisis, Eastern Europe is back on the upswing. However, the catch-up process has been delayed by years.

November 22, 2010

OECD: Austria's growth until 2012 at 2%

According to the report, the economy is returning back to normal values, but it will have to manage without fiscal stimulus.

November 18, 2010

Junge Industrie Wien: Explosive Generational Balance Study

Junge Industrie Wien calls for "courageous steps". The credo is future investments instead of transfer payments.

November 17, 2010

Austria's Exposure in Ireland: 3.4 Billion Euro

Since September 2009, Austrian banks have halved their exposure in Ireland. The most affected countries are the United Kingdom and Germany.

November 15, 2010

The ÖBB is a Risk Factor for the State Budget

While the investment projects for the ÖBB are being reduced by Transport Minister Doris Bures, a fiasco is threatening on the revenue side.

November 15, 2010

OeNB Governor Nowotny "During the Crisis, the Euro Acted as a Protection Shield Beyond the Euro Area"

The Governor of the Austrian National Bank, Ewald Nowotny warns to fiscal discipline and talks about economic challenges and opportunities in Europe.

November 15, 2010

Infrastructure Development: Investing in the Future or Incurring Debt?

While industry competes for sites for the development of infrastructure, legitimate questions are being raised on financial issues.

November 15, 2010

Traffic Expenditures: € 4.3bn less

As a consequence of the new budget, public infrastructure projects are being reduced considerably. Postponed projects and low-cost alternatives will save money.

November 12, 2010

Linz AG: Pause After Investment Offensive

The municipal company recorded extraordinary high capital expenses in 2009. The next projects are still in the planning phase.

November 11, 2010

Standard & Poor’s: Austria's Credit Rating at Risk

The reasons for such gloomy prospects are not problems with the banks or domestic companies, but rather the demographic situation threaten Austria's credit rating.

November 11, 2010

Erste Group: CEE Companies More Efficient than Western Counterparts

CEE companies are more efficient, more profitable and less indebted as Western companies. The German corporate sector is the only sector to compete with CEE companies.

November 10, 2010

Leitl: Austrians Go into Retirement Too Early

Those who go into early retirement in Austria are rewarded. The government should create more incentives to retire later on in life.

November 10, 2010

Austerity Package: Resistance from the Federal Provinces

While cries for savings are getting louder in the provinces, declarations of both consensus and objections come from the provincial capital cities

November 8, 2010

Vienna: Negotiations Between the SPÖ and the Greens Almost Concluded

The last major points are budget issues. Both sides are however optimistic of reaching an agreement.

November 5, 2010

IHS Boss Felderer Pleads for Railway Tunnel

The debate about the controversial Koralm tunnel is being enriched. IHS (Institute for Advanced Studies) boss Felderer argues strongly for the infrastructure measure.

November 3, 2010

Strabag CEO Haselsteiner: Koralmtunnel Has To Be Built

Haselsteiner reacts sharply to criticism of the construction of the Koralm tunnel. He sees the infrastructure measure as economically sensible.

November 2, 2010

Risk of Default of Federal Investments for 330 Million Euro

The State bought high-risk securities in 2007 and 2008. These show a high risk of default since the financial crisis. The State wants to get rid of these securities by next year.

October 29, 2010

EU Funds to Finance Brenner Tunnel until 2015

The European Commission has extended its partial financing commitment for the Brenner tunnel. However, appropriate measures must be taken soon. Deliberations are still underway at present.

October 28, 2010

Lending Policy of Banks is Stabilized

Results for Austria of the October 2010 credit business survey in the euro area

October 28, 2010

A-Tec: Will 100 Million be Given Up by the Creditors?

The creditors' committee deliberates today on how the company will continue existing. Mirko Kovats, founder and CEO of the company, wants to make a "substantial contribution" to the issue.

October 27, 2010

Financing of OMV-Deal in Turkey Still Open

OMV leaves the financial markets still in the dark as to how it will cope with the acquisition.

October 25, 2010

New Budget: Details and Reactions

The entire tax package will bring additional revenues for around 1.2 billion euro. There are further saving measures for 1.6 billion euro. Reactions from the economic actors are ambivalent.

October 25, 2010

New Budget, New Taxes

The budget includes a new austerity package, which consists essentially of taxes on mineral oil, tobacco and banks.

October 25, 2010
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